ORGANISERS of the annual Jazz, Blues and Music Festival in Nantwich have promised next year’s event will go ahead as planned following funding cuts from Cheshire East Council.

The event, held over each Easter weekend, attracts about 40,000 people to the town for quality live music and merriment.

Ordinarily, a free lunchtime concert is held on the square enjoyed by hundreds of shoppers and visitors, but funding for it has been pulled as the council trims its outgoings.

But festival organiser Philip Martin believes there could be other sources of finance to be explored.

He said: “This year we are having to find alternative funding for our outdoor event. We plan to make more of the outdoor space in Nantwich Square for more family-centred entertainment and sponsorship of these events offers an excellent opportunity to put a business or organisation in front of several thousand people.

“These are of course challenging times for everybody, but come what may we will ensure that this important event will happen.

“I am speaking to Nantwich Town Council to see if they can support the event in some way, and I am confident that one way or another, we will have a great show.”

Meanwhile, the line-up for the festival’s headline acts is in place and tickets are already on sale.

International superstar Tony Christie is on the bill, along with young singer-songwriter Scott Matthews, who has appeared at Glastonbury several times.

Also lined up are Wilco Johnson, The James Taylor Quartet, London blues band The Spikedrivers and Jackie Dankworth, daughter of iconic jazz singer Cleo Lane.